Gina Kingsbury
A two-time Olympic gold medalist who transitioned from dominating on the ice to shaping the future of women's professional hockey as a top executive.
Born 1981 (age 45)·Canadian ice hockey player, coach, and executive·Birthday: November 26·Millennials
Biography
Gina Kingsbury's impact on ice hockey is written in gold and now in blueprints for the sport's future. As a center for Team Canada, she was a cornerstone of a dynasty, contributing to consecutive Olympic gold medals in 2006 and 2010 with her intelligent, two-way play. Her transition from the rink to the front office was seamless and significant. After retiring, she moved into coaching and development, eventually ascending to the role of Director of Player Personnel for Hockey Canada's women's program. In 2023, she was entrusted with a pivotal role in the new Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL), becoming the first general manager of PWHL Toronto, tasked with building a team from the ground up.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Gina was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Gina Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Gina's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won Olympic gold medals with Team Canada at the 2006 Turin and 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.
- Appointed as the inaugural General Manager of PWHL Toronto, a founding franchise in the new league.
- Served as Director of Player Personnel for Hockey Canada's women's national team program.
- Played collegiate hockey at the University of Minnesota Duluth, helping them to an NCAA championship game.
Did You Know?
She is fluent in French, having grown up in a bilingual household in Montreal, Quebec.
She won a silver medal at the 2002 World Championships before her first Olympic gold.
Her father, Mark, was a professional hockey player who was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens.
“Gold medals are won long before you ever touch the ice.”
